Those of us who are old enough to remember recognize that Japan's initiation of World War II was all about natural resources, because as a nation that had none, but could add value to what they could get, their survival depended upon and endless supply of resources they did not have.
Now come a burgeoning India and China (the sleeping giant), seeing massive industrial growth and equally demanding of natural resources such as petroleum. If anybody in their right mind thinks gasoline prices are going down they are out of touch with the reality of the situation.
The imposition of any kind of taxes on gasoline hurt only the consumer, enrich the taxing authority, and contribute to an inflationary spiral, and at the end of the day do nothing but hurt the economy, and have relatively minor impact on the choices manufacturers and consumers make in the world of automobiles.
As a 45 year veteran of the Detroit automotive world I see hybrid/clean diesel as a potential part of the solution. Hydrogen is a ways off with the only sensible approach being nuclear power plant electrical hydrolysis, but held back by massive infrastructure redevelopment costs.
Frankly, I would like to see the government take a "Manhattan Project" approach to the overall energy issue. At the end of the day, nothing is manufactured or moved without energy and we are on the verge of a massive world wide crisis and international struggle for a resource whose days are numbered.
We have seen, in the last century, the political quagmires created as nations grapple with the energy supply equation, and the strange bedfellow international relationships that come about. Siberian oil, north slope oil, coal, nuclear power become chess pieces on a board of international desparation with conflict looming as the only answer that politicos seem to understand.
There is no rational domestic energy policy within the current administration, and an apparent inability to address the reality and magnitude of the problem and all of its ramifications if we continue "steaming as before."
A major national, and even worlwide initiative is required, with automakers and petroleum monopolies participating for their own survival.
It is not the time for punitive tax measures or half-assed incentives, but is time for an all out mobilization of the nation's best scientific and manufacturing resources inan effort to resolve what could be a "nation stopper."
Yes, getting more folks on scooters and motorcycles is a great idea, but only delays the inevitable.
It is time for all of us to get serious, folks, and time for us to get our representatives and senators and government serious.